The overall winner was Christophe Auguin who crossed the finish line on 17 February 1997 after a total time of 105 days, 20 hours and 31 minutes.

[citation needed] The rest of the fleet raced to the Southern Ocean, where a second attrition began: Yves Parlier and Isabelle Autissier broke rudders,[citation needed] leaving Christophe Auguin to lead the way into the south.

[1] Catherine Chabaud, in sixth place, was the last to cross the finish line and the first woman to complete a solo navigation of the globe without stopping.

[3] The book Godforsaken Sea by Derek Lundy profiles the 1996–1997 running of the race.

Unofficial competitor Raphaël Dinelli's boat capsized, and he was rescued by Pete Goss.